History of New Mexico Leather & Alternative Community
Venues • Artisans • Groups • Events

August 1992 marks the re-opening of the Albuquerque Mining Company under the current ownership.  Paul Gallagher was manager and managed until his passing in 1998.  Several other managers ensued in the next few months.  Midnyte took over in 1996 and has managed the bar except for nine months in 1998.

 
Before it became the Albuquerque Mining Company it had previously been a steak house and two gay bars called  999's (Nines), and Voyager whose owners Steve and Robert eventually opened R & S Express in the building where Sonny's Bar  and Grill is presently located.
 
George Arellanes who is the Assistant Manager has been with the AMC since it's current owners took it over.  He is the only employee who has lasted as long as the club. 

During it's first few years AMC customers circled the building in order to get in no less than 5 nights a week.  Ticket Tuesday was the number one night, where a customer would receive tickets over the weekend for drinks on Tuesdays.  Throbbin Thursday was the second busiest night with its 25 cent draft and dollar well drink.  (Boy have times changed)
All the other nights were packed including Sundays. 
 
Now the number one night is Throbbin Thursdays and the new exciting "Escandalo"  the Latin music night on Saturdays.  Monday night Karaoke with Ticia brings in a great lounge crowd and on Wednesdays the crowd piles in for the pool tourney.  Sundays are highlighted beginning in June with a Free BBQ and draft specials.  Friday night is always a big draw because of the shows presented by Pride titleholders and Guyz and Dollz.
 
For many years David Z was the Primo DJ at AMC.  Josef, Joseph Lorenzo, and several others DJ'd throughout the years.  DJ Jo Jo Pineau has been at the helm for the past 6 years as well as DJ'ing for Sam Gibson during the early years.  DJ Stitch has been with us for the last two years.
 
Midnyte came to AMC in 1996  and continues to try and recreate AMC to fit today's needs.  Chip came in 1999 from the Ranch and his own club Stampede.  he is the longest running bartender to this date.  Bill, Cassie and Jeff have been with us for a couple of years as well.
 
Since 2001  AMC has been the home of Albuquerque Pride Titleholders fund raising activities.  Monthly shows help raise much needed funds for the Pridefest held in June of each years.
In 2004 AMC also became the Home of Guyz and Dollz a troupe of performing Drag Kings and Impersonators which began as a group to raise money to help Albuquerque Pride and now has branched out to help other charities as well.
 
As the Laws have changed and the Straight bars becoming more open AMC has experience changing pains for the last 7 or 8 years.  In order to meet the challenge AMC continually does some minor cosmetic changes to keep their customers interested in the bar.  Along with drink specials The large Rainbow AMC on the wall has been a major boon to attracting out of Towner's and new customers to the bar.  Redoing the Pit from a Leather and Levi bar to the Red Room, a video and music bar which is very popular with the college crowd.  The dance bar is now known as the Silver Bar, somewhat of a constructionist look with a lot of high energy lights and music. 

The patio bar is now the Tiki Room with an Island influence and a very casual  atmosphere and a great place to get away from the loud music on the dance floor when you need a breather.

 

The Lounge which is open daily favors a 50's art deco look with comfortable seating and pool tables, video games and juke box as well as several monitors to watch shows and special events.
 
The long walkway has been removed from the dance bar and the old v0lleyball court which has been hanging around for years is gone but replaced with more dance area and more patio space.
 
Newly redone, the lounge patio is now enclosed with comfortable patio benches and chairs and tables with umbrellas.  Currently under remodeling is the side patio with many umbrella tables and a Concrete BBQ grill for outing on Sundays (or any other day for that matter).
 
The male dancers were a big draw during the last part of the 90's  Pete the Meat, Phoenix, Rich and Stryker kept the audiences coming in with their show type productions and costumes and little treats like "kisses"  .  We would bring in dancers form Dallas featuring the likes of the "Flame" who would lite "IT" on fire and Wrangler as well as dancers from Denver and Phoenix.  We even had a dancer from Europe to add some flavor as well as dancers from Juarez.
 
Over the years we hosted some celebrities at AMC including KLH and Cece Penniston.  Cece was the first major celebrity brought in for Gay Pride sponsored by AMC.  After that Midnyte worked to get Thelma Houston for Pride and since then Pride has been bringing in Dance Divas every year.  
 
If you have any insight on the past years or input for this column you can e-mail the webmaster or call Midnyte at 255-4022.  We would love some input of the early years.  Thanks
 

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Sources: albminingco.com/all_about_us.htm on web.archive.net 26Mar2006.